Posts by Lisa McDonald
Our own body movements could someday power our devices
Researchers have developed a triboelectric nanogenerator that uses body movements to generate electricity. Their device could someday generate enough power to operate our mobile devices and wearable electronics.
Read MoreNew strategies aim to give wood the strength to replace concrete in construction
Despite its material strength, concrete’s weakness is its huge carbon footprint. New methods are emerging to process wood into a high-performance structural building material that could someday take concrete’s place in buildings and beyond.
Read MoreUS Department of Energy competition could drive energy research innovation
The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced a competition to spur growth of sustainable energy technology. American Inventions Made Onshore will award monetary compensation to four organizations that will provide training to innovators on how to bring their research to market.
Read MoreVideo: Science nonfiction—Scientists create real-life 3-D volumetric displays floating in air
Science fiction has officially become nonfiction—scientists have developed a method to create real-life floating displays projected into the air. “We refer to this colloquially as the Princess Leia project,” lead scientist Daniel Smalley says.
Read MoreOther materials stories that may be of interest
Scientists catch light squeezing and stretching next-gen data storage material, flexible solar cells for wearables and more, and other materials stories that may be of interest for February 7, 2018.
Read MoreDirect carbon fuel cell advancements result in cleaner, more efficient electricity
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory have created a direct carbon fuel cell that operates more efficiently than other fuel cells. Their fuel cell operates at lower temperatures and has more power density than previous versions.
Read MoreMXene materials may enable more sensitive gas sensors for medical diagnostics and more—but dog noses are still superior
A group of researchers from Drexel University and KAIST in South Korea has shown that titanium carbide MXene thin films have superior gas sensing ability over existing gas sensor materials, making them particularly suitable for enabling the next generation of medical diagnostic sensor technologies.
Read MoreIt’s elemental: Science and stories of gallium and the Periodic Table
Gallium is an interesting and incredibly useful element with a storied history—watch this short video from ACS Reactions to learn more about this interesting element, and some of the history of the Periodic Table itself.
Read MoreSmart window technology uses magnetic nanoparticles suspended in fluid to control light, heat
Most current energy-saving window technology requires electricity to power the windows. But a research team has devised a fluidic window that uses magnetic nanoparticles to control the window to capture solar energy.
Read MoreVideo: Extraterrestrial glass found in Africa questions theories of solar system’s creation
Scientists have discovered that glass stones found in Africa in 1996 consist of a mineral matrix and chemical element properties unlike anything in our solar system—leading them to question how our solar system originally formed.
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